Academics are essential for open debate, critical thinking, and social progress. Yet intimidation, external pressure, or censorship can make it difficult to fully carry out this democratic role.
Since 2022, FIRM has been studying to what extent civic space is sufficiently safe and open for critical voices and human rights defenders. The voice of the academic community is equally crucial in this regard.
With this survey, we aim to gain a better understanding of the challenges researchers and educators face in their work and public role, as well as how satisfied they are with the level of academic freedom in Belgium.
Your participation is highly valuable: every contribution helps us build a more complete and nuanced picture of the situation. The results will be published in a final report with policy recommendations, to be published in 2026.
We sincerely thank you in advance for your participation.
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- Learn more about the study here
- The questionnaire takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete
- Participation in this survey is entirely voluntary
- The information collected will be anonymised and processed in aggregate form. The data will be used exclusively for statistical purposes
- You have the right to stop your participation at any time by closing your browser. Your data will not be retained if you click the “Stop and delete your responses” button
- FIRM and the UCLouvain, as the data controllers, ensure compliance with applicable privacy legislation, in particular the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Belgian Act of 30 July 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data
- By completing the questionnaire, you explicitly consent to participate in the survey, which means that your personal data will be processed as described above
- For questions or to withdraw your consent to participate, please contact research@firm-ifdh.be.
The Federal Institute for the protection and promotion of Human Rights (FIRM-IFDH) is an independent public institution that strives for a society in which everyone’s human rights are equally respected. As part of this mission, FIRM conducts, among other things, research.
https://federalinstitutehumanrights.be/en/accueil
